GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE DECEMBER 8, 1995

Picking genes

COMMUNITY FORUM

The following was sent to the Austin (Texas) American Statesman in response to a letter saying that research pointing to a "gay gene" means parents can ensure heterosexual children.

To the Editors:

Mr. Kurt Standiford's suggestion of eliminating homosexuality by abortion smacks too much of Hitler's "Final Solution." Like Jews, homosexuals were considered üntermensch--subhuman-and treated the same way. Ironically, when the Allies liberated the camps, Jews and other minorities were cared for and set free, while homosexuals were left imprisoned.

"Treating" homosexuality by aborting gay pre-born children (or murdering them postnatally) is rather like treating cancer by euthanasia, a therapeutic procedure frequently administered by Dr. Kevorkian, with this exception: homosexuality is not considered a disease by any major professional organization. The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and now the American Medical Association have removed homosexuality from their lists of diseases.

THE OPEN PRAIRIE by Joe Noover

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Gay Agenda is no more typical of gays than the Tailhook scandal is typical of heterosexual males or our armed services.

"The last thing we need is homosexuals' opinions of homosexuality," Mr. Standiford says. By the same token, Mr. Standiford would reject the Jews' opinions of the Holo-

caust.

I did not choose to be gay. I did choose to be a Christian and pro-life. Mr. Standiford says, "God willing, homosexuality will someday be an extinct anomaly of human nature." But if God did not make homosexuals, there would not be any!

Contrary to what Mr. Standiford thinks, homosexuality is not a lifestyle option. No one chooses to be gay (or straight, for that matter). Both are orientations over which the individual has no more choice than hair color or height. Jesus said much the same thing. Mr. Standiford's reference to the "homosexual agenda" is rightly called a fabrication, but it is fabricated by homophobes, not gays. Justice for Wuornos

In fact, it is only homophobes who speak of the "gay agenda" and the "gay lifestyle."

I could give you a detailed description of my "gay life-style," but there would be no room. Suffice it to say, I work at my job, try to keep my house clean, and participate in my mainstream church. I drink very little. I do not smoke, drink, use drugs, cruise parks, or molest children. Similar things can be said of most gay men that I know. The vile video The

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To the Editors:

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We are writing to remind you of the case of Aileen "Lee" Wuornos, a lesbian currently on Florida's death row for killing six men who attacked her. Recently four of her six appeals were denied; two still await judgment. The second set of appeals is being prepared now.

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Lee was working as a highway prostitute when she was attacked. Prostitutes are much more likely to be raped than women in other jobs. In fact, prostitutes in one study testified that they were raped an average of thirtythree times a year.

The issues of violence against women and our right to self-defense were obscured in this case by sensational charges that Lee was a man-hating serial killer. Call her a serial killer, and you can sleep well at night knowing the highways are safe... for men. Call her what she is, a woman who killed before submitting to rape and possible death, and you are forced to wonder whose life is valued? As Lee said, "Who's supposed to die? Am I supposed to die because I'm a prostitute?"

Unsurprisingly, Lee did not receive a fair hearing of her case. In her only trial, the dead man's history of sexual violence was not allowed as evidence. Her overworked public defender had never tried a capital case; sixty references to self-defense were deleted from her videotaped confession; Lee's background of chronic abuse was not acknowledged as a mitigating circumstance, and the list of injustices goes on.

As feminists, we feel it is important to raise our voices to demand that Lee receive justice, and that women have the right to freedom from violence and the right to protect ourselves when violence does occur. We urge you to demand justice for Lee Wuornos.

Write postcards to the Florida Supreme Court, 5th Judicial Circuit Court, 300 Beach St., Daytona Beach FL 32114. Demand a new trial.

Speak to your friends and family about Lee's case.

Rent a copy of the documentary "Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer" and host a viewing of it. We will supply an information packet.

Write letters of support to Aileen Wuornos, A#150924, DR1, Broward County Correctional Institution, P.O. Box 8540, Pembroke Pines FL, 33024

Form a defense committee in your area. Contact the Aileen Wuornos Defense Committee at 415-995-2392 or write to us at 3543 18th St., Box 30, San Francisco, CA 94110 The Aileen Wuornos Defense Committee San Francisco, Calif.

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Volume 11, Issue 12

Publisher:

Business Manager:

Managing Editor:

Associate Editor:

Martha J. Pontoni

Patti Harris

Doreen Cudnik

Brian DeWitt

Reporters & Writers: Barry Daniels, John Graves, Jeff Hirst, Dawn Leach, M.T. Martone, Michael Miller, Daniel R. Mullen, Timothy Robson, Paul Schwitzgebel, Thom Sommers, John Young Photographers:

Art Director: Production/Admin.: Advertising Manager: National Advertising:

Barbara Bodemer,

Beth Leonard Christine Hahn Gina Adkins David A. Ebbert Rivendell Marketing 212-242-6863 David A. Ebbert 800-426-5947

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